Teen dies after swimming mishap in Cheatham County creek

ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. (WSMV) - A Cheatham County Central student died after drowning in a creek near the Sycamore Recreation Area on Saturday afternoon.

Cheatham County Central football coach Gary Halstead said the teen was Eric Bright, a junior football player at the school.

“Today, our family suffered a tragedy. An outstanding young man lost his life in a swimming incident,” Halstead said on a GoFundMe page he created for the teen’s family. “I am at a loss for works. We all lost a friend, an athlete and an inspiration.”

The Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office said Saturday a 17-year-old jumped from an old railroad bridge into Sycamore Creek Saturday afternoon and drowned.

Cheatham County Schools will provide counselors at the high school when students return on Monday. Bright is completing his junior year at the school.

Almost $10,000 has been raised through the GoFundMe page.

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